FIGURE 4.

Cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production: amount of total SCFAs (A), acetic acid (B), propionic acid (C), butyric acid (D), valeric acid (E) and isobutyric acid (F) in cecal content homogenates. The control (C) groups are represented by smooth bars and the runner (R) groups by striped bars. REF, reference diet; CF, 5% cocoa fiber-enriched diet; C10, 10% cocoa-enriched diet. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 8). Statistical differences (Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunnet’s test): *p < 0.05 vs. the C group in the same diet; ^#p < 0.05 vs. the same exercise condition in the REF diet.